Mahesh Kumar
In a significant push toward implementing simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill.
The legislation is set to be tabled during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. This marks another step in realizing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) long-standing electoral reform agenda.
Reports suggest the government plans to refer the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed examination. If enacted, the bill would synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies, potentially transforming India's electoral process.
The idea of simultaneous elections, a staple of BJP manifestos since 2014, received renewed momentum in 2017 when the NITI Aayog endorsed it. Former President Ram Nath Kovind also supported the proposal in his address to Parliament.
In March 2024, a high-level committee led by Kovind submitted its report advocating a phased rollout of simultaneous elections.
The report proposed beginning with unified Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, followed by local body polls within 100 days. It also recommended constitutional amendments to empower the Election Commission of India to prepare a unified electoral roll in consultation with State Election Commissions.
At least five constitutional articles would need amendments, along with legislative ratification by half of the states. The Kovind panel emphasized the potential of simultaneous elections to streamline governance and reduce electoral expenses.
Despite the BJP’s enthusiasm, the proposal has faced stiff resistance from opposition parties.
While the ruling government and its allies lauded the Union Cabinet's approval of the Bill, the Opposition strongly criticized the move, calling it impractical and an attack on India’s federal structure.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh reiterated the party’s opposition, emphasizing the need for further scrutiny.
"The bill will be presented in the Parliament and we want it to be sent to the JPC. The INC's stand was made clear last year itself by party president Mallikarjun Kharge when he sent a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation One Election..." Ramesh told ANI.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M.K. Stalin described the bill as “draconian” and "anti-democratic".
“The Union Cabinet has approved introducing the draconian ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’ in Parliament. This impractical and anti-democratic move will erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance.” Stalin declared on X.
John Brittas, Rajya Sabha MP from CPI(M), also condemned the proposal, calling it a threat to the federal spirit.
“The ‘One Nation, One Election’ idea aligns with their agenda of ‘one leader, one country, one ideology, one language.’ It undermines the federal framework of India,” Brittas said.
He added that the government’s track record on elections contradicted its push for simultaneous polls, citing the separation of Maharashtra and Haryana elections as an example.
Critics argue that it undermines India’s federal structure and regional representation. Congress has described the bill as a threat to democracy and the Constitution's basic structure.
The bill’s implementation hinges on overcoming significant legal and procedural challenges. The required constitutional amendments, including changes to election timing and synchronization mechanisms, demand robust support across the political spectrum.
Additionally, experts have raised concerns about the practicality of holding simultaneous elections in a politically diverse nation like India.
India conducted simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in its first four general elections (1951-1967) when Congress dominated both central and state governments.
The practice ended in 1971 when the Congress advanced Lok Sabha elections, disrupting the electoral cycle. Currently, Lok Sabha elections align with assembly elections in four states: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.
While the BJP touts simultaneous elections as a step toward efficient governance and fiscal prudence, opposition parties remain unconvinced, warning of its potential to centralize power and erode India’s democratic diversity.
The legislation is set to be tabled during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. This marks another step in realizing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) long-standing electoral reform agenda.
Reports suggest the government plans to refer the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed examination. If enacted, the bill would synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies, potentially transforming India's electoral process.
The idea of simultaneous elections, a staple of BJP manifestos since 2014, received renewed momentum in 2017 when the NITI Aayog endorsed it. Former President Ram Nath Kovind also supported the proposal in his address to Parliament.
In March 2024, a high-level committee led by Kovind submitted its report advocating a phased rollout of simultaneous elections.
The report proposed beginning with unified Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, followed by local body polls within 100 days. It also recommended constitutional amendments to empower the Election Commission of India to prepare a unified electoral roll in consultation with State Election Commissions.
At least five constitutional articles would need amendments, along with legislative ratification by half of the states. The Kovind panel emphasized the potential of simultaneous elections to streamline governance and reduce electoral expenses.
Despite the BJP’s enthusiasm, the proposal has faced stiff resistance from opposition parties.
While the ruling government and its allies lauded the Union Cabinet's approval of the Bill, the Opposition strongly criticized the move, calling it impractical and an attack on India’s federal structure.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh reiterated the party’s opposition, emphasizing the need for further scrutiny.
"The bill will be presented in the Parliament and we want it to be sent to the JPC. The INC's stand was made clear last year itself by party president Mallikarjun Kharge when he sent a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation One Election..." Ramesh told ANI.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M.K. Stalin described the bill as “draconian” and "anti-democratic".
“The Union Cabinet has approved introducing the draconian ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’ in Parliament. This impractical and anti-democratic move will erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance.” Stalin declared on X.
The Union Cabinet has approved introducing the draconian ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’ in Parliament. This impractical and anti-democratic move will erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 12, 2024
Rise up #INDIA!
Let us resist this attack on Indian Democracy…
John Brittas, Rajya Sabha MP from CPI(M), also condemned the proposal, calling it a threat to the federal spirit.
“The ‘One Nation, One Election’ idea aligns with their agenda of ‘one leader, one country, one ideology, one language.’ It undermines the federal framework of India,” Brittas said.
He added that the government’s track record on elections contradicted its push for simultaneous polls, citing the separation of Maharashtra and Haryana elections as an example.
Critics argue that it undermines India’s federal structure and regional representation. Congress has described the bill as a threat to democracy and the Constitution's basic structure.
The bill’s implementation hinges on overcoming significant legal and procedural challenges. The required constitutional amendments, including changes to election timing and synchronization mechanisms, demand robust support across the political spectrum.
Additionally, experts have raised concerns about the practicality of holding simultaneous elections in a politically diverse nation like India.
India conducted simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in its first four general elections (1951-1967) when Congress dominated both central and state governments.
The practice ended in 1971 when the Congress advanced Lok Sabha elections, disrupting the electoral cycle. Currently, Lok Sabha elections align with assembly elections in four states: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.
While the BJP touts simultaneous elections as a step toward efficient governance and fiscal prudence, opposition parties remain unconvinced, warning of its potential to centralize power and erode India’s democratic diversity.
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